Boy, 14, seriously injured in hunting accident

Casper Start Tribune | Nov 15, 02

[SLB]

TORRINGTON, Wyo. (AP) - A boy, 14, was seriously injured after dropping a 12-gauge, double-barreled shotgun while hunting with his father. Mitch Haden, of Torrington, dropped the gun when his hat was caught by the wind and he reached to grab it.

The gun had been broken open and its safety latch was on, but it closed and discharged when it hit the ground, wounding the boy's right wrist.

His father, Steve Haden, took him to Community Hospital in Torrington. From there he was flown to Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, the Torrington Telegram reports.

Mitch's mother, Dee Haden, said the boy remained positive even though he might lose his hand.

"He has no regrets about hunting," she said. "He has a wonderful attitude and is in great spirits. He is doing very well and plans to go back to hunting."

Goshen County Sheriff's officials planned to study the gun to find out how it fired.

[SLB]

there was an incident here some years back where a shotgun breech failed. The hunter lost both eyes. He does not rail against guns, but I am certain from where he lives and his lifestyle that the gun and ammunition manufacturers are still paying.

[SLB]

BTTT

[Blood of Tyrants]

It wasn't a breech failure. He was apparently carrying the gun breech open with the cartriges inserted. It says the gun closed and fired when he dropped it.

[Cogadh na Sith]

The gun had been broken open and its safety latch was on, but it closed and discharged when it hit the ground, wounding the boy's right wrist.

I don't believe it. Did the dad actually 'see' the accident, or is this the kid's word?

[brewcrew]

12-year-olds have been known to stretch the truth a bit from time to time, haven't they?

[Fiddlstix]

I don't believe it......

I find it rather difficult to believe too
and
I've fired a lot of shotguns in my life

[joesnuffy]

I dont think so...a double barreled shotgun ..broken open...hits the ground closes, locks and goes off..
.
More kids get arms torn off in farm accidents than are shot while hunting..

Its a terrible thing..an awefull thing..but accidents happen...and always will...

And firearms accidents mostly due to negligence happen as in any sport ,activity and occupation -chain saws..power tools, machine brakes, and presses accidents happen in ..auto racing, sky diving, football, soccer, track, mountain climbing, skate boarding, bike riding, roller blading and snow boarding..

Its a shame when someone gets hurt maimed or killed...but these things happen they are a sad part of living..

Its the gun control fear mongers that exploit every opportunity to denegrate and lie about the dangers of this particular sport and the misuse of its equipment by those with criminal intent...and criminal bent.

[dd5339]

"The gun had been broken open and its safety latch was on, but it closed and discharged when it hit the ground, wounding the boy's right wrist."

I don't mean to make light of what happened to the boy but something really smells here. For a shotgun to fall on the ground, close an open breech, take the saftey off, and then discharge? Come on, the probability of that happening is next to impossible.

Semper Fi

[VERYProGun]

"The gun had been broken open and its safety latch was on, but it closed and discharged when it hit the ground, wounding the boy's right wrist."

As you might garner from my screename I like to think I know a few things about firearms...Let's just say I'm REALLLLY skeptical that this is what REALLY happened.

Glad to hear the boy is in good spirits and recovering, though

VPG

[Cogadh na Sith]

And firearms accidents mostly due to negligence happen as in any sport ,activity and occupation

Yeah, the scary one's are where you can do everything right and still get screwed--like sailing along in a ship and hitting a methane uprising and going straight to the bottom of the ocean.

[ibbryn]

Yeah, the scary one's are where you can do everything right and still get screwed--like sailing along in a ship and hitting a methane uprising and going straight to the bottom of the ocean.

Sheesh! That could happen? I'm staying away from boats!

[Travis McGee]

You just can't be too careful. Treat every gun like it's about to go off etc. Still, freak accidents can occur.

Or, freak accidents can be made up to cover up careless behavior.

(And I am not above sin here.)

[Blue Screen of Death]

As you might garner from my screename I like to think I know a few things about firearms...Let's just say I'm REALLLLY skeptical that this is what REALLY happened.

I think you are right to be skeptical. Is that the sound of a thundering herd of lawyers I hear?

[CGASMIA68]

Ohhhhh Wellll

[waterstraat]

I dont believe it either.